“The Russian peacekeeping forces should stay in Abkhazia until the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict is completely settled,” Sergei Bagapsh, the head of the unrecognised republic of Abkhazia, told a news conference in Sukhumi on Wednesday. Even though the peacekeepers are formally called ”the Collective peacekeeping forces of the CIS”, it is Russia alone that has been bearing the burden of the peacekeeping operation all these eleven years, Bagapsh said. He declared against the replacement of the Russian peacekeepers with any other forces. Bagapsh came out for the resumption of the through railway traffic over Abkhazia, as this is ”in the framework of the March 2003 Sochi accords.” He is, however, against the linkage of the resumption of railway traffic with political questions, the way Tbilisi does it. Bagapsh regards this as a ”purely economic question. Abkhazia does not accept any political conditions in this connection.” The Abkhazian head expressed concern with the build up of the military potential by the Georgian side. “While talking about favouring a peaceful settlement of the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, Georgia, which has a spate of social problems, increased its allocations for the military purposes to 300 million dollars. It is apparent against whom this is directed. So we reinforce and will continue to reinforce the defence potential of our army,” Bagapsh said. Bagapsh confirmed that Abkhazia’s course is oriented at Russia. He said Abkhazia’s legislation is being brought in keeping with Russian legislation, since Russia is Abkhazia’s chief partner.” “The main task of Abkhazia’s new leadership is economic recovery and the improvement of citizens’ living standards. Certain work is being done for the purpose. Specific projects are being implemented, Bagapsh said. (Itar-Tass)